tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59355224289690386532014-10-04T21:38:14.328-07:00mese and anna ugapoanna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-70063051312297158832010-06-23T15:15:00.000-07:002010-06-23T15:27:39.626-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKJuuOGlVI/AAAAAAAAAQw/ECPWlNVLnF0/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486098731864855890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKJuuOGlVI/AAAAAAAAAQw/ECPWlNVLnF0/s200/IMG_0027.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKJdQ_yPsI/AAAAAAAAAQo/h-qWZucg8CQ/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486098431962398402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKJdQ_yPsI/AAAAAAAAAQo/h-qWZucg8CQ/s200/IMG_0012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKI5rOBRfI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ZkddUJBMEns/s1600/100_0197.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486097820526134770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKI5rOBRfI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ZkddUJBMEns/s200/100_0197.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKIiWv0K5I/AAAAAAAAAQY/WwM71EgVSBY/s1600/100_0203.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486097419893746578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKIiWv0K5I/AAAAAAAAAQY/WwM71EgVSBY/s200/100_0203.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKIOSg2qgI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/JapQAn2lmKc/s1600/100_0205.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486097075159869954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKIOSg2qgI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/JapQAn2lmKc/s200/100_0205.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKH6bOUpGI/AAAAAAAAAQI/hOhte4mqN1g/s1600/100_0200.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486096733900678242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/TCKH6bOUpGI/AAAAAAAAAQI/hOhte4mqN1g/s200/100_0200.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-43903755017073972802010-06-23T14:58:00.000-07:002010-06-23T15:15:38.733-07:00LONG TIME, NO POSTHELLO EVERYONE. IT IS PRACTICALLY A MIRACLE THAT I AM BLOGGING RIGHT NOW. IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX MONTHS SINCE MESE OR I HAVE POSTED ANYTHING. I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT LIFE HAS SLOWED DOWN JUST A TINY BIT SO THAT I CAN TAKE A MINUTE AND BLOG. WE ARE DOING WONDERFUL. LIFE HAS HAD IT'S UPS AND DOWNS. WE STRUGGLE THROUGH THE HARD TIMES, BUT LUCKILY WE COME OUT STRONGER IN THE END. WE JUST GOT BACK FROM OUR FIRST VACATION SINCE WE TOOK OVER THE RESTAURANT. WE WENT TO UTAH FOR MY LITTLE SISTER'S SEALING AND DECIDED TO EXTEND THE TRIP A LITTLE SO WE COULD STAY AND VISIT FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT WE HARDLY EVER GET TO SEE. WE HAD A BLAST AND LUCKILY THE KIDS DIDN'T DO TOO BAD ON THE DRIVE. THEY ARE GROWING TOO FAST. WE ARE STILL ENJOYING THE SANDWICH STOPPE. WE RECENTLY HIRED MY SISTER-IN-LAW, CARRIE, AND IT IS PROVING TO BE THE BEST MOVE WE HAVE MADE SO FAR. SHE IS AWESOME. WE LOVE YOU CARRIE. ME, MOST ESPECIALLY, BECAUSE I GET TO STAY HOME WITH THE KIDS FOR GOOD NOW. VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO FINISHING THE RENOVATIONS ON THE RESTAURANT AND GETTING A COUPLE OF BEACH TRIPS IN THIS SUMMER.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-52719306187718794132009-10-06T14:46:00.000-07:002009-10-06T15:15:04.997-07:00The times we live inMy mother Caroline Ainuu lives in Samoa which was recently hit by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Already saddened by the destruction surrounding her, she has just lost her husband and is alone and in need of help. She was born in Western Samoa and now resides in American Samoa. She is not a citizen of the U.S. and has had difficulties trying to return to California to be with her children and see her grandchildren that she has yet to meet. <br /><br />She is alone and without means to support herself and with the island in shambles the potential of finding a job is slim. We ask for all of our friends and family and anyone else who might read this post to please offer prayers on her behalf. We need to get her to California so that we (her children) can take care of her. Life is truly unpredictable. This experience has taught me that truth. There is only one constant in life and that is the everlasting truth and comfort that comes from living the Gospel of our Savior. If any of you know of anyone who might be able to help us in this predicament please let us know. Thank you.Lamese "Mese" Ugapo IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875039417337809681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-77660837029449380042009-09-30T07:17:00.000-07:002009-09-30T07:24:21.673-07:00THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTSLast night in the middle of me saying my prayers there was a loud knock on the door. It scared me really bad. Mese opened the door to find a very generous, anonymous gift on our doorstep. This post is intended to say the biggest thank you ever to whoever it was that gave the gift. Words cannot express our gratitude for the love we felt just knowing how much someone cares about us. I was bawling like a baby because of the overwhelming amount of love and gratitude I felt to have such wonderful people in our lives. You know who you are and you need to know that we love you and are so thankful for your generosity. Thank you, thank you, thank you.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-69357532105976542742009-08-28T14:52:00.000-07:002009-08-28T15:06:34.475-07:00The Sandwich Stoppe: life is crazyWell, today marks the end of our fourth week at The Sandwich Stoppe. Life is getting into a little bit of a regular routine, but it still feels very crazy and busy. I am a working mom, which I never wanted to be, but it is nice to have a little break from the kids. Some days I do wish I could just stay home and hold my baby or take my kids to the park and clean my house. It helps that they have a great baby sitter. Every time we are driving home from any where Mason always starts saying "Mom, Vivian coming? Vivian coming?" Thanks Vivian. And thank you to all our friends and family who have stopped by to visit and eat. We appreciate your support and your business. The weekend of Nia's wedding we had a record breaking day. We broke the previous owner's record for daily sales in our first month. I think it has a lot to do with the new window signs we put up too. We need to do even more advertising so if anyone has any ideas about cheap ways to do that let us know. Things are going well and we are excited to start our second month. Hope to see you all again and we hope everyone is doing well.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-56351792252087510472009-07-30T14:56:00.000-07:002009-07-30T16:47:47.447-07:00The Sandwich Stoppe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SnIvcsYksPI/AAAAAAAAAPw/kK8K_O2aMCo/s1600-h/sandwichstopperesized4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 171px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SnIvcsYksPI/AAAAAAAAAPw/kK8K_O2aMCo/s200/sandwichstopperesized4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364402276148752626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SnIv-4I5lmI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ps1H8UJU2Ms/s1600-h/sandwichstopperesized14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SnIv-4I5lmI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ps1H8UJU2Ms/s200/sandwichstopperesized14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364402863419790946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SnIxBxZJaaI/AAAAAAAAAQA/sr250RI14_M/s1600-h/sandwichstopperesized13.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SnIxBxZJaaI/AAAAAAAAAQA/sr250RI14_M/s200/sandwichstopperesized13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364404012660124066" border="0" /></a><br />A lot of our friends and family have heard that we are buying The Sandwich Stoppe restaurant in Beaumont, but this post is just to let everyone else who hasn't heard, yet, that we are officially taking over on August first. We are closed on weekends, for now, though, so, technically we start business on Monday, August third. We are so excited. This has been one of Mese's life-long dreams to own a restaurant. Please come by and visit us. Our hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 am to 4 pm. The food there is great and we have big plans for redecorating and for spicing up the menu a little too. We have been so blessed to be able to do this. A big thanks to the Markwith family for their generosity too. Like I said it would be great to have everyone stop by for a bite. We have put everything we have into this and even some we don't have so we need all the business we can get for these first couple of months. Come in and tell us what you think. We are open to all kinds of suggestions for the menu and the ambiance. We look forward to seeing you. Wish us luck.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-2595541736342592392009-06-08T18:39:00.000-07:002009-06-08T21:16:21.251-07:00Howdy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3IkyRsf9I/AAAAAAAAAPY/j3hp6au3yVg/s1600-h/SDC10636.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3IkyRsf9I/AAAAAAAAAPY/j3hp6au3yVg/s200/SDC10636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345148867055484882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3HnvRvSOI/AAAAAAAAAPI/ODiq9gp2Gck/s1600-h/SDC10604.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3HnvRvSOI/AAAAAAAAAPI/ODiq9gp2Gck/s200/SDC10604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345147818278340834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3HRpXFA_I/AAAAAAAAAPA/GUwdEB4r39A/s1600-h/SDC10602.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3HRpXFA_I/AAAAAAAAAPA/GUwdEB4r39A/s200/SDC10602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345147438733001714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3G5XzXrgI/AAAAAAAAAO4/_rbXHW6NjX4/s1600-h/SDC10601.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3G5XzXrgI/AAAAAAAAAO4/_rbXHW6NjX4/s200/SDC10601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345147021702966786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3GfB_GFZI/AAAAAAAAAOw/M1xtSQjfc5g/s1600-h/SDC10596.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3GfB_GFZI/AAAAAAAAAOw/M1xtSQjfc5g/s200/SDC10596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345146569169966482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3GGrdxrEI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Isavligpz4M/s1600-h/SDC10594.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3GGrdxrEI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Isavligpz4M/s200/SDC10594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345146150807776322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3FwsrvYJI/AAAAAAAAAOg/p2qn-IY8GGg/s1600-h/SDC10591.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3FwsrvYJI/AAAAAAAAAOg/p2qn-IY8GGg/s200/SDC10591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345145773177659538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3E4grnxYI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/pAs42Jj4VXs/s1600-h/SDC10588.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3E4grnxYI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/pAs42Jj4VXs/s200/SDC10588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345144807883261314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3EidJ996I/AAAAAAAAAOI/eY3YeYqsgzQ/s1600-h/SDC10585.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3EidJ996I/AAAAAAAAAOI/eY3YeYqsgzQ/s200/SDC10585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345144428979681186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3EFiozwZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/3FH59u4kV8A/s1600-h/SDC10582.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Si3EFiozwZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/3FH59u4kV8A/s200/SDC10582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345143932235006354" border="0" /></a><br />It has been a long time. I got to have a little vacation when I went to our family's annual women's retreat so I am taking a while to get back into the swing of life. Thanks, by the way, to Vivian, Siona, and Kathleen who helped out while I was gone. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Life has been strange with Mese working a night shift. We are starting to get used to it, but it is hard on him when he misses out on all the social activities and I am sad that I have missed out on some "girls nights" because my baby-sitter is working. I love you, honey. Our little Gwenny brings so much joy to our home. She is by far my best baby. She is so sweet and quiet and thoughtful. We have been doing a lot of catering and I can take her with me to the events and she just sits in her chair and smiles, for the most part. She only cries when she needs something and she is so smiley right now. I love them at three months old. We finally got a new camera so here are a bunch of new pictures to make up for the lack of pictures these last few months. We are happy and doing well and hope everyone else is the same.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-79654595894535314152009-04-22T22:06:00.000-07:002009-04-22T22:14:19.429-07:00Birthday SurpriseI just wanted to write a little message to my husband and all of my wonderful friends and family who came to the surprise party for me. It was my first surprise birthday party and it was so much fun. I am so proud of Mese for doing such a good job of keeping it secret. We usually cannot keep anything secret from each other. I never suspected a thing. It was almost a week after my actual birthday and I think it was only planned a few days prior, but it was great and I felt so special and so loved and appreciated by my husband. He is so wonderful. He cooked an amazing meal of grilled flatbread sandwiches with yummy salads. Thanks again to everyone and especially to Shawn and Darcy for letting us use their house. I love you all, but especially you, Mese.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-19837511557777061242009-03-27T13:33:00.000-07:002009-03-27T14:19:28.737-07:00Finally, Pictures of the New Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CsUoY4iI/AAAAAAAAAN0/xefj9HSCq7o/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2857%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CsUoY4iI/AAAAAAAAAN0/xefj9HSCq7o/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2857%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317980064214213154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CobhwjhI/AAAAAAAAANs/d-nxM4JDXI0/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2853%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CobhwjhI/AAAAAAAAANs/d-nxM4JDXI0/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2853%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317979997345975826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CjiA10QI/AAAAAAAAANk/vGcF0yS9_nw/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2852%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CjiA10QI/AAAAAAAAANk/vGcF0yS9_nw/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2852%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317979913187610882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CfAcNllI/AAAAAAAAANc/t81xysSbr_A/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2816%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CfAcNllI/AAAAAAAAANc/t81xysSbr_A/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2816%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317979835456132690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CbLMW6gI/AAAAAAAAANU/gor-Lrsc8kI/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2815%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CbLMW6gI/AAAAAAAAANU/gor-Lrsc8kI/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2815%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317979769622948354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CV3aFIiI/AAAAAAAAANM/0eL7BNTrDMY/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2814%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CV3aFIiI/AAAAAAAAANM/0eL7BNTrDMY/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2814%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317979678412448290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1COM1MN_I/AAAAAAAAANE/J-D1vuChR7M/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2813%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1COM1MN_I/AAAAAAAAANE/J-D1vuChR7M/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2813%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317979546724349938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CJodkjUI/AAAAAAAAAM8/PCaiPDXsLUo/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2811%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1CJodkjUI/AAAAAAAAAM8/PCaiPDXsLUo/s200/baby+gwenny+050+%2811%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317979468242128194" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some pictures of baby Gwenyth Lynnae Ugapo. Born March 3rd. 7lbs. 5 oz. 20 inches long. Some are from when we were in the hospital, but there are some more recent ones also. We think she is pretty cute. We're gonna keep her.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/Sc1ByL-czDI/AAAAAAAAAM0/Uf-saXgdaUg/s1600-h/baby+gwenny+050+%2811%29.jpg"><br /></a>anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-39388624065376899722009-03-01T22:20:00.000-08:002009-03-02T22:13:48.227-08:00Molten Chocolate Cake Recipe....Heaven on a Plate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SazKeuDpylI/AAAAAAAAAMc/lYlf8mh3ZIw/s1600-h/Cake+Pic+Alt.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SazKeuDpylI/AAAAAAAAAMc/lYlf8mh3ZIw/s320/Cake+Pic+Alt.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308840689871211090" border="0" /></a><br />A few of you have asked me to post this recipe so here it is. Good luck trying not to make it once a week. It is soooooo yummy and soooooo easy. Warm gooey chocolate is one of the best things in the world. And please eat it with ice cream. It is way better with ice cream.<br /><br />Prep: 15 min. / Total: 29 min.<br /><br />4 squares Baker's semi- sweet baking chocolate ( I just use 4 oz. of good dark chocolate, bittersweet is the best, in my opinion.)<br />1/2 cup butter<br />1 cup powdered sugar<br />2 eggs<br />2 egg yolks<br />6 Tbsp. flour<br />1/2 cup whipped topping (or Ice cream)<br /><br />Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter 4 (3/4 cup) souffle dishes. Place on baking sheet.<br /><br />Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour. Divide batter between prepared souffle cups.<br />Bake 13-14 minutes or until sides are firm, but centers are soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run a small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Top with 1 tbspn. of whipped topping and serve immediately.<br /><br />Enjoy!anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-27941863041817157072009-02-18T15:59:00.000-08:002009-02-18T16:06:14.472-08:00Nothing NewThis post is kinda pointless because I really don't have anything new to write about. I just felt like I hadn't posted in a long time. I will hopefully have some fun news of the arrival of our new baby girl in the next couple of weeks. I am so done being pregnant. I just want her to be here already. Oh, I did get my hair done. I am back to blonde. It's pretty fun looking in the mirror and seeing myself as a blonde. I feel younger. Sorry I don't have a picture to put up. We are without a camera, but are looking to get one before the baby comes.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-1449209933854455662009-01-27T09:57:00.000-08:002009-01-27T15:06:27.095-08:00Never Judge a Book By It's Cover.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_en_PtUk-3EI/SX9LWGNLMZI/AAAAAAAAAEI/PgGHKU51wuU/s1600-h/Brett+Dennen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_en_PtUk-3EI/SX9LWGNLMZI/AAAAAAAAAEI/PgGHKU51wuU/s320/Brett+Dennen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296034529806070162" /></a><br /><br />Look at this man. Yes I said 'MAN'. What do you notice about him? I see sloppy red hair and freckles. Looks like a teen who never quite grew out of the awkward stage. He is the epitome of geekiness. Or maybe that's his allure. He is Brett Dennen. <br /><br />Having been home taught his whole life by his parents afforded him the opportunity to hone his musical and songwriting skills. The same skills that would one day help him to create such beautiful (and subtly sexy) songs including "Ain't Gonna Lose You", a haunting one - sided tale of a man struggling to hold on to the the ever fraying thread that holds him and his love together. His work has helped him to be considered a musical genius by many including the folks over at Rolling Stone.<br /><br />Then there's that voice. That voice. It's like the audio equivalent of introducing a new and delicious taste to your tongue that lingers comfortably, well after the meal has ended. There is a soulfulness to it and a confidence in his ability that would make you believe what he's saying. He does dabble in the political realm but manages to get his message across without being overbearing.<br /><br />One evening a few years back, while playing a local venue, another musical genius happened upon that particular show and after being completely immersed in Brett's music, he invited Brett to join him on tour for a few shows. The new fan's name? John. Last name, Mayer.<br /><br />I specified the word 'man' earlier because it was difficult for me to believe that this baby faced song wizard is 30 years old. Does he look 30 to you? Honestly he looks like an ugly 16 year old girl, but his music is beautiful which makes him beautiful. He is amazing and pleasantly surprising on many different levels. Anyway I have added a couple of his songs to my music player below (#'s 1 & 2). Enjoy the musical offerings of Brett Dennen.Lamese "Mese" Ugapo IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875039417337809681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-2161706864412028532009-01-22T20:41:00.000-08:002009-01-22T20:47:41.043-08:00Potty Training SucessI hope I'm not speaking too soon, but we have had three days in a row with very successful potty training with Marlowe. She has had a few accidents, luckily, for me, the one who has to clean up the mess, it's only been #1. Today she actually started telling me that she had to go rather than me taking her every hour or so. She even did #2 on the potty during one of those times when she told me she had to go. This is probably way too much info., but I can't help it. I am so excited. I started training her at 18 months and I so hope she sticks with it this time so I don't have to deal with 3 kids in diapers when baby Gweny comes. I'm sure some of you out there know how I feel.<br /><br />A special thanks to Daddy, also, who got involved and caused the success we are having.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-76264857971508161392008-12-28T07:01:00.000-08:002008-12-28T07:52:15.595-08:00The most unlikely knitter of allIt has been a while since I last wrote. I guess I feel like I haven't had anything worthy of writing about, until now. I wish I had a picture to go with this post because some of you may not believe what I am about to tell you without proof.<br /><br />So, we spent Christmas Eve with Mese's family and we were up pretty late. We came home and put the kids to bed and then stayed up even later setting up the toys we had bought for them. Marlowe, despite going to bed late, woke us up at six, as usual. We were very tired. We went to my parents to spend most of Christmas day with my family. We did the usual routine of eating a big breakfast while all the kids played with what Santa Claus brought and then we all opened gifts from eachother. It was a great day. We all loved all our gifts and just spending time with eachother and sharing memories of Christmases in the past. The day was kind of winding down. My kids were very tired. They needed their nap and so did we. All the men in the family decided to go to a movie. My husband was the only one who decided not to go. He said it would be a waste of money because he would just fall asleep in the theater. He stayed home with all us girls. I was sure he was going to want to get going soon. We usually go back to his family's house around 5 p.m. We had talked about leaving soon so I went to go say goodbye to my sisters. I got caught up talking to them for a while and I was wondering why Mese hadn't come to get me going. I went to go see what he was doing and you can imagine my shock, amazement, and my delight when I found him sitting with my sister, Julia, and my nieces, KNITTING.<br /><br />He has never knit before. Julia, as a gift to all the nieces, decided to teach them how to knit. I guess Mese grabbed the needles and yarn and pretended he was knitting just to be funny and then Julia started to teach him how to do it for real. He sat there and knitted for a while and then took a break. We all sat around visiting some more. So, he picked up the yarn and needles and decided to keep going. This time he didn't stop for an hour and a half. I'm not kidding. All of us girls just kept visiting, but every fifteen minutes or so one of us would stop and say, discretely, "look, he is still knitting!" We were amazed. I have to say that I found it very cute and sexy. My husband is so confident in his manhood that he can knit and not be ashamed. Well, he may have been a little ashamed because the next day when we went to Wal-Mart to buy him his own needles and yarn he kept claiming they were for me any time some one would walk by. We did buy some for me too and that night he taught me how to knit. It is really cool. I have always wanted to learn to knit, but I never thought that the person who would teach me would be my husband. I love it, though. We just sit there and knit together.<br /><br />He never ceases to amaze me. Some day you'll hopefully get to see the scarfs we are making or even witness the knitting in action. I love you, Mese.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-64012579124454219052008-12-08T12:01:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:27:18.811-08:00The war continues...So as many of my friends and family know (unless you are blind) I am fat.<br /><br />I have literally been trying to lose weight for the past, oh I don't know, 15 years or so. I have weighed as much as 402 lbs and as low as 230 lbs in my adult life, the latter of the two being while I was on my mission in Guatemala where hygiene was a revolutionary idea and parasites were plentiful. <br /><br />A few months ago I had a little scare from my doctor when she put it so tenderly as only a medical professional could, when she asked me, " Do you want to die?!". It was hard for me not to laugh for a couple of reasons: When faced with the reality of your potential end of mortality, what else can you do but laugh at the fact that (in my case) you put yourself in this situation AND her heavy, almost incomprehensible East Indian accent. Not that accents are funny but hers was. Ah, the irony. Food, although necessary to ensure the proper function of the body's organs and to sustain life, when abused can kill you. Food, you so crazy! <br /><br />I have high blood pressure and have now been on medication for the past two months. I have started to exercise and eat better and am now down to 369 lbs. I have been newly re-inspired by the hard work and dedication shown by my friend Brad Naef who has lost 100 lbs. Woot, woot Brad. My blood pressure is now on the road to Normalville and I plan on dropping him off there for good. The good news is my cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides are at normal levels which is a surprise to me because um, I'm fat. So there is the trade off: My arteries are clear for blood flow but my heart can still explode at any moment causing a sudden and oh so final death. So, my reason for writing is this: I want you to know that I am dedicated to changing my life in every aspect. I will more than likely see most of you who will read this at least a few times a week. I want you as my friends to check up on my progress. Ask me how I'm doing. Keep me honest and in line in other words. And when you have something yummy at your house for dinner and I'm over don't feel like you have to adjust anything for me. I will adjust for you. I have set a few weight loss and personal goals for September and December of next year and I will reach them, with your help it will be easier. Thanking you in advance, Mese.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_en_PtUk-3EI/ST2JVTD3seI/AAAAAAAAADo/JnCZjgLGsfA/s1600-h/New+Baby+Pictures+809.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:left;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_en_PtUk-3EI/ST2JVTD3seI/AAAAAAAAADo/JnCZjgLGsfA/s320/New+Baby+Pictures+809.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277525337334854114" /></a><br /><br />At my biggest 400+ lbs.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_en_PtUk-3EI/ST2P9QszRFI/AAAAAAAAAEA/zVYcqHC0SO4/s1600-h/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_en_PtUk-3EI/ST2P9QszRFI/AAAAAAAAAEA/zVYcqHC0SO4/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277532620965758034" /></a><br /><br />And on my mission in Guatemala. Now this picture is awesome for a couple of reasons. #1, I'm extremely thin and dark and my hair is nappy. #2, How did I lose weight? Look at that cow! My food is literally starving! Don't forget to check out the ruins in the back.Lamese "Mese" Ugapo IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875039417337809681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-61091428301446223222008-11-29T09:20:00.000-08:002008-11-29T16:28:25.082-08:0026 Days To GoWe have changed our background in honor of the upcoming holiday. You like? I like. Being that the holiday season is a time where we reflect on things we are thankful for and gifts in general I am always forced to consider the gifts that I treasure in my life. As is the tradition this time of year I will be naming them in the form of a list:<br /><br />1. Knowledge of the truth<br /><br />2. Knowledge that Christ was made a sacrifice so that I could be saved from myself.<br /><br />3. The right to choose to be optimistic in a world filled with trials and the ease of pessimism.<br /><br />4. Knowledge that Heavenly Father loved me so much that he allowed me to meet and marry Anna Marie Nancy Knapp even though I will have to work until the day after forever ends to repay him. She is a saint. I mean that with all of my heart. I don't know anyone with a greater capacity to love and forgive on all this earth. She deserves more than what I am but Heavenly Father in all of his wisdom knew how much I needed her and will ultimately be able to justify the multitudes of blessings she will receive for having been my eternal companion. I love you.<br /><br />5. Marlowe for making me a Daddy and for giving me good sense and proper perspective.<br /><br />6. Little Mason for helping me to want to try to be more patient.<br /><br />7. The BANNING BOYS.<br /><br />8. Life's challenges including (even especially) those that were completely avoidable...or in other words those challenges that I brought on myself.<br /><br />9. ALL of you. If you're reading this post it's because our paths have crossed and somewhere along the way we decided to stay in touch. Thank you for being our friends. And finally...<br /><br />10. Chili Dogs. Don't laugh. It's not funny. On Black Friday Mason, Randy and myself left at 4:45 am to check out the day after Thanksgiving sales at Wal Mart. I mentioned that Anna had told me that Wienerschnitzel would be opened at 5 am. We laughed. I joked, "Who would eat a chili dog that early?". Me, I guess. I didn't even know that I needed it but I could not get the thought of a chili dog out of my head. I was going to sneak over to get one when Randy pointed out that he couldn't find Mason. We walked to the van and he wasn't there either. We turned towards Wienerschnitzel and I felt a tear starting to form in my eye. For there was my faithful friend Mason in his XXXL red and white striped shirt that could have camouflaged 500 Where's Waldos, sipping on a large diet coke and waiting for his pastrami dog. We were brothers in hot dogs that morning. I joined him and ordered a chili dog, no cheese extra mustard and washed it down with a lemonade and Pepsi cocktail. Some moments bond people for life. This was not one of them. It was just funny that we ate hot dogs so early. The end.<br /><br />TAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! You're it. Let us know what 10 things you are grateful for.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-46244939512960512832008-11-27T06:32:00.000-08:002008-11-27T06:41:39.903-08:00Our Blog Page Just Got a Whole Lot More EntertainingSo, as most of you can see, my husband has been posting some messages on my page. At first it was just temporary because he had a few things that he felt would get looked at more on my page that he wanted to share with as many people as he could. Well, the good news is.....he has decided to officially join forces and just have one blog between the two of us. His old page is no more. You will know he is posting by all the comedy or lots of great music and such. I will most likely be posting about the usual: kids, family, and life. Like I said, his will probably be a lot more entertaining than mine. If you need a good laugh please check out the post just previous to this one. I was cracking up, almost crying, and it's only 6 am.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-24045441344652787632008-11-26T10:53:00.000-08:002008-11-26T10:55:15.806-08:00Speechless...Is what you'll be after you view <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFc4oL99FzU">this</a>. There truly are no words. Please share your thoughts.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-36418861711832138552008-11-18T12:15:00.000-08:002008-11-18T12:44:15.161-08:00On the other hand...Sorry for the misleading words in my last post. To make up for it I thought that I would introduce you guys to someone on the extreme opposite end of the musical spectrum as our Korean friend. If any of you don't know this about me I am very passionate about music. Good music rather. I define good music as anything that is pleasing to YOU. Great music however should transport you from where you are listening to a place of elation and melodic bliss. Anything well structured with a creative rhyme scheme on top of a jazz chord or two usually does it for me. Two words: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcXAbs3EXDs">Mario Biondi</a>. His voice is amazing. His voice is deep. Deep as in profound and also as in low. He makes Barry White sound like Michael Jackson. He's an Italian from Parma and sings in English regularly. This one might actually change your life...musically anyway.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-35390259514788565662008-11-08T11:33:00.000-08:002008-11-08T11:45:24.123-08:00Life will never be the same...No tricks this time. This is Mese. We live in a day where a multitude of technological advancements afford us the opportunity to share experiences faster than ever. Something extraordinary happens at 2:00 and a friend on the other side of the world can know about it by 2:05. I have been lucky enough to have experienced something that has literally changed my perspective on life and now I feel a profound urgency to share it with the people that I love. Please watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXxvsShaAoA">this video</a> as I am sure that it will burn into your core and you will NEVER EVER be the same. Please share your experiences with us as way of thanks for you will be grateful for having seen it.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-9414836889381590692008-11-05T20:52:00.000-08:002008-11-05T21:11:39.330-08:00Halloween and Homemade Costumes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8f7iRwII/AAAAAAAAAMU/_ltkzZxEH7c/s1600-h/DSC_0602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8f7iRwII/AAAAAAAAAMU/_ltkzZxEH7c/s320/DSC_0602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265407802348781698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8aLm4GiI/AAAAAAAAAMM/IyDRZ65woMY/s1600-h/DSC_0600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8aLm4GiI/AAAAAAAAAMM/IyDRZ65woMY/s320/DSC_0600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265407703583824418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8QHNmYPI/AAAAAAAAAME/ANkJFkAcVeU/s1600-h/DSC_0593.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8QHNmYPI/AAAAAAAAAME/ANkJFkAcVeU/s320/DSC_0593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265407530605371634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8Hl6PqtI/AAAAAAAAAL8/BGhv0hwM1kQ/s1600-h/DSC_0590.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_soAnWoNlA00/SRJ8Hl6PqtI/AAAAAAAAAL8/BGhv0hwM1kQ/s320/DSC_0590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265407384226867922" border="0" /></a><br />This year for Halloween, we were forced by a lack of funds to get very creative with costumes. Marlowe and Mason dressed up as Dora and Diego. I had fun studying exactly what they wore and what color their clothes were. Using our local thrift stores, Wal-Mart, pieces of costumes from past Halloweens, and some paper and a marker, we were able to come up with everything we needed for about ten bucks. Mese's costume, Mr. T, which he came up with the morning of, was a huge hit at the family Halloween party. Somehow he always does that. Every year he has no idea what he is going to be, but at the last minute he comes up with something amazing. His costume was very budget friendly too and, yes, that is his real hair. It was a lot of fun. Thank you Darcy Patterson for the pictures.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-65875456418481277832008-10-29T13:57:00.000-07:002008-10-29T14:01:57.101-07:00Crib WantedI am looking for a crib. I keep checking all the thrift stores and the D.I. because we can't afford a brand new one right now, but I haven't had much luck. I was given one way back when I found out I was having Marlowe, but it was put in storage and now we can not find any of the hardware for it. Can't remember where I put it. Anyway, I thought I would just put it out there so that if anyone knows of one, let us know and we can make an offer, or something. Thanks for your help.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-37307389953819321602008-10-13T21:13:00.000-07:002008-10-13T21:31:43.514-07:00The New Nursery LeadersAs of three weeks ago Mese and I are the new nursery leaders for the senior nursery in the Banning ward. I know to some it may seem like the worst calling in the world and, I admit, for a few moments I had some hesitation. We were called the same week that our son, Mason, turned 18 months. I had been waiting for that week to come for about four months. I just wanted to be able to get some spiritual uplifting out of sunday school and relief society again. But, not much to my surprise, I have been spiritually uplifted so much more than I ever expected to be in the last two weeks that we have been with these beautiful children. I love being with them. Just their smiles seem to make my heart burst. It's nice for me to see that they are enjoying what we are doing. I feel successful. The little lessons are so simple and basic, but that almost makes them that much more powerful. I kinda wish it could all be that simple.<br /> I love working with my husband. It helps me to see him in a whole new light to see him get down on these kid's level and play with and love them. Of course, I get to see him do it at home with our kids all the time, but there's just something so touching to see it with kids other than his own. I'm not surprised, just reminded how wonderful he is and why I love him so much. He is so excited to learn the songs that go along with each lesson on his guitar and to play and sing them each week. The kids looooove it.<br /> I love our new calling. I love serving and teaching and being taught by your kids each week. They are such a joy. I see even more clearly now why Jesus said we should "become as a little child."anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-77705270937999069522008-10-08T14:51:00.000-07:002008-10-08T15:02:23.163-07:00My wonderful, talented, and amazing husband...This post is so that every one of my friends and anyone else who happens to stumble upon this page for whatever reason, will know that I am married to the most wonderful man in the world or at least in the city of Banning on the north west corner of the Lamp Lighter Apartments. We have made an agreement that if he would cook all of our meals, I would clean. He was quick to jump at that offer - quick like a stallion. Speaking of stallions he is probably as strong as a stallion. He is so talented too... Okay. This is Mese. The real reason behind me commandeering my wife's blog is to let YOU know that I have updated and completely made over my blog. <a href="http://www.mightmakemerry.blogspot.com">CHECK IT OUT HERE!!!</a> Oh, and by the way, I AM as strong as a stallion FYI.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935522428969038653.post-6304718132363112742008-09-30T17:18:00.000-07:002008-10-02T20:33:18.224-07:00Children's Discovery Museum of the DesertLast Thursday my wonderful husband worked a twelve hour shift that made it so he didn't get home until 11:30 p.m. He, of course, stayed up to watch the premier of "The Office," so he didn't get to bed until 1 a.m. He had the next day off and I assumed he would sleep in until noon. Much to my surprise he was up at 8:30. He gets on the computer and the next thing I know he tells me to get the kids ready because he has a little surprise for us. My husband is the king of surprises. He loves them. But they usually involve food. Something he loves. So, you can imagine my surprise when he drove us to the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert. We had so much fun. Our kids are even a little young for most of the stuff, but they still had a blast. Marlowe's favorite activity was painting the Volkswagon Bug. Yep, a real car. She also enjoyed the laser harp, the grocery store and dressing up upstairs in the attic. Mason loved the "tots" center where he rode on a real police motorcycle and spent 15 minutes pounding nails with a hammer. I had a blast just watching the kids and Mese was just happy to see all of us so happy and pleased with his surprise. Of course, I forgot the camera. Such a bummer.anna mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449317093336300098noreply@blogger.com3